Want to reduce staff burnout and quiet quitting? Show your employees that their hard work is valued with thoughtful, high-quality employee appreciation gifts.
A Gallup study found that happy, engaged employees bring 23% more profitability. But what drives this level of engagement? Your employees want to feel valued and recognized.
Feeling valued isn’t just about compensation. It’s also about thoughtful corporate gifts that make employees feel a meaningful part of your company—a part of your business family.
At Swag42, we have many ideas on how to reward employees. And we’d love to share them with you. For your convenience, we’ve made four lists of employee appreciation gifts:
- New hire packs
- One-year appreciation gifts
- 5th-anniversary gifts
- 10th-anniversary gifts
Bonus tip: We’ll share how to make employee gifting more engaging—and HR managers’ jobs simpler—with gamified swag shops.
Keep reading!
Employee appreciation gifts for new hires
When your new employee joins the team, make them feel valued from the very beginning. Give them a new employee swag box that shouts, “We’re so happy to have you on board!”
According to BambooHR, over 80% of employees with a positive onboarding experience remain highly loyal to their organizations. To kick things off, create a new hire pack that provides everything needed for a smooth start.
Here are several must-haves to include:
1. High-quality apparel
A branded T-shirt or hoodie with your logo will introduce an employee to your company’s culture. Add embroidery with your logo or print a small message that reflects your company’s values.
Use high-quality materials, like heavy-weight organic cotton or GOTS-certified French terry, so your employees wear them not just at home but proudly represent your brand wherever they go.
2. Workday basics
The first few weeks on a new job are always overwhelming for new hires. They must study the company’s tools, resources, communication channels, etc. It’s super helpful to have a notebook and a pan at hand. Branding these items with your logo gives new hires a sense of belonging from the very start.
And if you want to make an even more lasting impression, opt for a notebook and pen from renowned brands like Parker or Hugo Boss.
3. Branded drinkware
Keep your team hydrated throughout the workday with custom drinkware. Choose high-quality materials like stainless steel or durable Tritan with sleek designs. Your employees will eagerly use them in daily life, giving your brand visibility everywhere they go.
Swag42 top choices for branded drinkware are:
- Thermal cup made from stainless steel
- Stanley custom tumbler that keeps drinks cold for 11 hours
- Tritan water bottle that fits most cup holders
- Insulated ocean bottle that keeps drinks cold for 18 hours
- A portable and eco-friendly Stojo cap
4. Company stickers
Create a custom sticker pack featuring your company’s mascot, fun slogans, and office memes. Your employees will love sticking them on their laptops or phone cases, showcasing their connection to your company culture.
5. A welcome card
Include a warm, eco-friendly card with a thoughtful message to make new hires feel genuinely welcome to the team.
To increase engagement, embed an NFC tag in your branded T-shirt or hoodie with an integrated, personalized welcome message. This adds a cool engagement touch, and your employees will wear it proudly, showing off your brand.
1-year employee appreciation gifts
On the first anniversary, show your employees how much you value their contributions. An employee appreciation swag is a simple gesture that conveys a powerful message: “You matter, and your hard work is recognized.”
Here are some ideas for the one-year employee appreciation gifts:
1. Custom hoodie or sweatshirt
Employees often choose hoodies and sweatshirts for their casual office wardrobe because they are versatile and practical. They are also a go-to choice for cozy weekends.
Use premium, breathable fabrics like organic cotton and a minimalist design with a relaxed fit that suits everyone. Your employees will love wearing this hoodie or sweatshirt.
2. Personalized travel pillow
We all spend much time on the road, whether for business or personal trips. A custom travel pillow provides the necessary comfort, especially on long flights.
3. Branded umbrella
A stylish and durable umbrella is a practical employee appreciation swag. It will help them stay comfortable no matter the weather.
4. Tote bag
Consider a branded tote bag if you want a practical gift that your employees will use often. These bags can be used for everyday tasks like grocery shopping, carrying books and notebooks, and transporting essentials between work and home, spreading your brand’s presence.
5. Comfy slippers
Comfy branded slippers are ideal for remote workers. They bring warmth to your employees’ home routine and show that you care about their well-being.
5-year employee appreciation gifts
The fifth work anniversary is a time to celebrate your employee’s loyalty and commitment. Here are some tried-and-true ideas for employee appreciation gifts:
1. Branded backpack
Employees love receiving comfy branded backpacks because they are very versatile. They can use them for laptops and essentials, gym gear, and travel.
2. Branded jacket
Keep your employees warm with a branded jacket. Depending on your employee’s lifestyle, there are many options, such as windproof jackets, corduroy button shirts, classic jeans jackets, cotton overshirts, and raincoats.
3. Laptop case
A custom laptop with your branding will help employees keep their devices safe and accessories organized. Choose polyester materials that are durable and easy to clean.
4. Personalized power bank
With a custom power bank, your employees will stay connected wherever they go, whether on a business trip, team-building camp, or family camping trip.
5. Premium lunch box
A lunch box or bento box made from eco-friendly, high-quality materials like recycled stainless steel or sustainable thermoplastic is a practical accessory for employees who bring lunch from home. Opt for compact and lightweight options that are ideal for meals on the go.
10-year employee appreciation gifts
A 10th work anniversary deserves high-end employee appreciation gifts. Here are our best-selling picks:
1. Customized cabin bag
A customized carry-on bag helps employees avoid check-in luggage hassles, save time, and reduce stress, making it a perfect gift for short-term trips.
2. Wool blanket
A customized blanket made from premium 100% wool or wool blends will keep your employees warm and cozy, especially during the cold winter and autumn seasons.
3. Wellness gadgets
Treat your employees to wellness gadgets for relaxation and well-being. Consider neck massagers, portable blenders, humidifiers, or heart rate monitors.
4. Wireless earbuds
Wireless earbuds are practical tools for both daily life and busy offices. They reduce background noise, helping your employees focus better on their tasks.
5. Premium tech gadgets
People love functional and practical gifts. In our catalog, you will find great swag ideas for any budget, from electric thermoses to branded projectors.
Swag shops for employee appreciation gifts
Employee appreciation gifts are always a stress. You collect each employee’s data, order corporate gifts, store them in the office, and keep it on track with several contractors in messengers and email while ensuring you haven’t missed anything.
We feel your pain and want to reduce it. On the Swag42 Platform, you centralize all your merch tasks, from swag orders to tracking and delivery. But that’s not all: you can create your company’s custom swag store on our platform.
We recommend using the swag shop to gamify and personalize the gifting process (and simplify your job). Here’s how it works:
- You order corporate merch through the Swag42 Platform and add items to your shop. Your merch is then physically stored in our warehouse at no charge.
- You assign points to each swag item.
- You share the swag shop link with employees and give them points based on their work experience (for example, the longer they work, the more points they get).
- Employees redeem swag they want for points on the work anniversary or any other special occasion.